Research Week 2022 – Amanda Piarulli, MD

Advanced Diabetes Technology Remains Underutilized in Underserved Populations: Early Hybrid Closed-Loop System Experience at an Academic Safety Net Hospital

Zhihui Ju¹, Amanda Piarulli², Lauren Bielick³, Shannon Marschall¹, Elizabeth Broiullard¹ and Devin Steenkamp¹

Abstract

We retrospectively evaluated outcomes of the Minimed Medtronic 670G system in an academic urban safety-net population of adults with type 1 diabetes, between September 2016 and January 2020. Among 32 patients prescribed the 670G, the majority were female (69%), white (69%), achieved advanced degrees (56%), were commercially insured (94%), and were experienced pump users (84%). Patients who initiated auto-mode demonstrated significant improvement in A1c after 1 year. However, 31% of patients never initiated auto-mode. Black and Hispanic patients comprised 50% of this group, despite similar insurance coverage, diabetes duration, educational level, and prior pump use. Hence, traditional barriers to technology use do not explain these racial/ethnic disparities. Of 22 patients who initiated auto-mode, 5 discontinued within 1 year. The most common reason for discontinuation was frustration with pump-sensor interactions. Future studies identifying barriers to and strategies for increasing use of advanced insulin delivery systems in underserved populations are needed.